22. Ulf Karlsson

WHAT ARE THE TRUE FACTORS THAT BROUGHT YOU TO ISLAM?
Tough question. I guess the logic of it all. You see. I had no belief in god, and all this religious stuff seemed strange to me. But then I had some powerful "god-experiences" whilst out taking pictures sin the wilderness. A great sense of belonging to something bigger, being a tiny part of a plan for all the creation.
I don't know how long I have favored Islam, I just knew that Christianity wasn't for me. I couldn't accept all the layers of "servants" and clerks between me and God. Priests, bishops etc. And worshiping the "half-god" Jesus seemed really strange.
I found a friend on the net, she too were a convert, and her liberal, yet firm belief spoke to my heart too. And gradually I began to believe in God (of course I after my God-experiences, what could I do?)
Reading the Quran, and listening to Muslims were the key factors. The logic and reasoning of the Quran. the scientific facts. All made it clear to me that this was not the work of a man, but the words of God.
And there you have it, I believed in God, and fully accepted that Muhammed were one of God's Prophets. Whet else could I do but Revert to Islam?
WHAT DIFFICULTIES YOU HAD IN THE WAY?
Only my own cowardliness. My previous experiences with Muslims were nil. And I've always looked at religious people with skepticism. I were simply afraid what would happened to me. If I tried to search my own feelings. Afraid of what I might become.
Also living in a community without Muslims made it harder, I have to travel 1 hour to get to the nearest Muslim community. And there were not always the possibility to go and see them when I needed to.
WHEN DID YOU COME TO ISLAM AND WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
I converted the 24th of July this year, but what made me take the step that day is a long story. Let's just say that Allah gave me some subtle pushes...
The response from friends and relatives is all positive. They have all taken it very well, of course they have asked some polite questions; like why, and why not Christianity. But. I must repeat, only positive responses (at least as far as I know) my dad makes some silly jokes, but that's just the way he is.
HOW ISLAM CAN CHANGE AND IMPROVE ONE'S LIFE?
I don't know how, but I'm much happier now. Not so tense and uptight. Secure in my belief and secure in Allah's protection. My friends say I', much more relaxed, spreading an atmosphere of control and calmness around to people.
I were never much of a party animal, so there's no change there, but others have given up their bad habits and are living a much healthier life. I treat women with much more respect (at least I want to) than before. Especially Muslim women whom I hold in high regard now.
And finally, Islam made me grow up. I feel much more mature. Perhaps because the searching for peace of mind is over. This is the biggest difference I feel within myself as a consequence of reverting to Islam.
PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

Oh. I'm a 25 year old (male) Swede from the mid-class. Grown up in a stable home with both parents working, no problems in the family what-so-ever (I'm being the black sheep by converting to Islam..) Have a good job at a Nuclear power plant maintaining health-physics and other instruments. A job I really like (although some days I feel like killing my boss.)
I'm in the process of getting new connections and friends within the Muslim community, which isn't as easy as it sounds, living 60 miles from the nearest Muslims. e-mail and the internet is a great help to me. accessing Muslim communities all around the globe.